http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/teams/pittsburgh_pirates/22 Recent articles about Pittsburgh Pirates en-us Jerry Sands has three homers in his last four games. A few weeks ago I wrote about how Jerry Sands was struggling all around, and how there were no silver linings to his game. He wasn’t hitting right-handers or left-handers. He wasn’t hitting for power. It wasn’t a home/road split, or a situation where you could point to the most recent games with hope that he was turning things around. Now? There are a few silver linings. In fact, there are outright positive signs. On the season, Sands has a really disappointing .186/.313/.307 line in 140 at-bats. That’s largely due to his month of April when he had a .145/.235/.171 line with just two extra base hits in 75 at-bats. He’s shown improvements in the month of May, leading to an .864 OPS in 64 at-bats. It started by hitting left-handers. Sands has always hit lefties well, and used that advantage to begin breaking out of his slump. On the season he now has a .233 average and an .825 OPS in 30 at-bats against lefties. That’s not a huge sample size, but c Wed, 22 May 2013 11:06:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/prospect_notebook_jerry_sands_could_be_a_good_in_season_addition_for_the_pirates/13670656 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/prospect_notebook_jerry_sands_could_be_a_good_in_season_addition_for_the_pirates/13670656 Prospect Notebook: Jerry Sands Could Be a Good In-Season Addition For the Pirates http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/prospect_notebook_jerry_sands_could_be_a_good_in_season_addition_for_the_pirates/13670656 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I’m a big Louis CK fan. I’ve mentioned this at times on the site, or on Twitter, and especially on Facebook. Although I don’t really make my Facebook page public, so you’ll just have to trust me on that one. I think I’ve grown to like Louis CK even more in the last year because of his comments on divorce. His comments about pretty much any subject are extremely hilarious, but also extremely accurate. It was no different for divorce. So last year when I got divorced, I found his jokes to be hilarious, and totally true. Before you “aww like a puppy died”, as Louis CK would say, know that one of his most accurate jokes is how divorce is always good news. In a “Tim Williams” quote, rather than using a Louis CK quote, I can tell you there are things I no longer have to do. For example, I never have to step foot in a Pottery Barn again. If Michael’s is having a 50 percent off sale on frames, I don’t have to walk around the store finding something interesting, or try to run out the clock lookin Wed, 22 May 2013 03:21:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_jeff_locke_and_the_defense_of_fip/13668679 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_jeff_locke_and_the_defense_of_fip/13668679 First Pitch: Jeff Locke and the Defense of FIP http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/first_pitch_jeff_locke_and_the_defense_of_fip/13668679 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/3/4337b0417b25422207f3f3f380462e38e9f4accc/mini/6546938.jpg I think one of the great things about the way we use technology to follow sports is the ability to take a step back and observe the way the masses react to memorable moments. In the case of Travis Snider’s grand slam in the sixth inning of the Pirates’ 5-4 win against the Cubs on Tuesday, my observation is that there was smoke coming off my Twitter feed in the moments following the decisive strike. First, my humble submission: Salami in the Lunchbox. #Pirates #Cubs — Tom Bragg (@TomBraggSports) May 22, 2013   …and James’ bold prediction: Regardless of the result, I love this move to pinch-hit Snider for Barmes. #Pirates — James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) May 22, 2013   #PIRATES 5, CUBS 3 – 6th – What did I say? #LunchboxBomb — James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) May 22, 2013 This might be the exact moment Snider’s ball cleared the PNC Park wall.   I assumed Snider’s shot would have landed him on Twitter’s trending topics for Pittsburgh. That, however, was not the case. It is som Tue, 21 May 2013 23:03:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sniders_grand_slam_explodes_twitter_or_does_it/13667716 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sniders_grand_slam_explodes_twitter_or_does_it/13667716 Snider’s Grand Slam Explodes Twitter, Or Does It? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sniders_grand_slam_explodes_twitter_or_does_it/13667716 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/1/b158bfde3461257a665f5dfaf4123915a2fe1a2e/mini/PicImg_MLB_APR_18_f4a5.jpg On a night that was hot, then rainy, then blustery, Travis Snider’s swing was the real force of nature. Travis Snider hit his second home run on the season, a grand slam and eventual game-winner. (Photo credit: David Hague) With the bases loaded in the 6th, Snider turned on a change-up that reliever Shawn Camp left elevated in the strike zone. The ball just enough lift to fly 389 feet into the first row of seats in right-center field and give the Pirates a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. Snider gave a curtain call to the (supposed) 16,092 fans at PNC Park to mark his first career grand slam. Snider’s shot was part of a 6th inning in which the Bucs (27-18) sent 11 hitters to the plate, got five hits and erased the great season debut of Cubs starter Matt Garza. Once Garza (five scoreless innings, one hit, three walks) was away, the Pirates went to play. Neil Walker led off the 6th with a double just inside the right-field line off Hector Rondon, who then loaded the bases by allowing Garrett Jones to hit a bl Tue, 21 May 2013 22:31:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/travis_sniders_grand_slam_lifts_pirates_to_5_4_win/13667521 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/travis_sniders_grand_slam_lifts_pirates_to_5_4_win/13667521 Travis Snider’s Grand Slam Lifts Pirates to 5-4 Win http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/travis_sniders_grand_slam_lifts_pirates_to_5_4_win/13667521 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/1/b158bfde3461257a665f5dfaf4123915a2fe1a2e/mini/PicImg_MLB_APR_18_f4a5.jpg Vic Black left today’s game with an unknown injury. Vic Black left today’s Indianapolis Indians game with an unknown injury today. Al Skorupa of Bullpen Banter has the details. So Victor Black came in. Looked pretty sharp. 93-97. SL mid 80s. Left after two batters with an injury (unclear what. Maybe groin?) #Pirates — Al Skorupa (@alskor) May 21, 2013 Black came on in relief in the eighth inning and got a quick out. He was then removed for Erik Cordier. Black has dealt with injury problems in the past involving his elbow and shoulder, but has been clear of those problems for the past two seasons. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:38:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/vic_black_leaves_game_with_unknown_injury/13665139 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/vic_black_leaves_game_with_unknown_injury/13665139 Vic Black Leaves Game With Unknown Injury http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/vic_black_leaves_game_with_unknown_injury/13665139 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Jeff Locke says he has “gotten much better” over the last two years. Jeff Locke, let’s talk. Heh. Rhymes. Jeff, your pitching has played a role of significance in the Pirates’ 26-18 start and a spot in the playoffs if Bud Selig took ether and ended the season on May 21. You have pitched five quality starts in your last six outings in the last month, allowing an average of fewer than four hits per start. Combine those with your earlier starts, and you find yourself 11th of 59 qualified NL pitchers with a 2.73 earned run average. I’m not being tongue-in-cheek when I say you should be proud. It just won’t last. Nothing personal, Jeff. You are still 25 years old and have a long career ahead, hopefully in Pittsburgh’s rotation instead of some other team’s. You were great in Triple-A last year, and you have definitely earned the spot in the rotation you were so happy to get at the start of the year. If you continue to pitch well, there is no reason you can’t keep that spot when guys like Jeff Kars Tue, 21 May 2013 10:29:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sorry_jeff_locke_you_wont_keep_dominating/13662298 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sorry_jeff_locke_you_wont_keep_dominating/13662298 Sorry, Jeff Locke, You Won’t Keep Dominating http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sorry_jeff_locke_you_wont_keep_dominating/13662298 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/3/4337b0417b25422207f3f3f380462e38e9f4accc/mini/6546938.jpg TOP OF THE SYSTEM A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. If a player is in the majors, he will be removed, everyone below him will be shifted up a spot, and a new player will be added to the bottom of the list. Rankings are from the pre-season rankings, and links to each prospect writeup can be found by clicking the player names below. Players who weren’t in the original top 20 are linked to their player page on the site. 1. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Indianapolis (3-2, 3.75) - DNP 2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Altoona (2-5, 3.02) - DNP 3. Gregory Polanco, CF, Bradenton (.303) - 1-for-4, 2 K 4. Alen Hanson, SS, Bradenton (.272) - 2-for-4, 2B 5. Luis Heredia, RHP, Extended Spring Training (Luis Heredia Close to Joining West Virginia) 6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.283) - 2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 RBI 7. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.220) - Low-A DL 8. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, West Virginia (3-0, 2.12) - DNP 9. Kyle McPherson, R Mon, 20 May 2013 22:51:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/prospect_watch_pimentel_gets_hit_again_bell_and_allie_lead_west_virginia_offense/13660063 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/prospect_watch_pimentel_gets_hit_again_bell_and_allie_lead_west_virginia_offense/13660063 Prospect Watch: Pimentel Gets Hit Again, Bell and Allie Lead West Virginia Offense http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/prospect_watch_pimentel_gets_hit_again_bell_and_allie_lead_west_virginia_offense/13660063 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png A Pittsburgh Pirates fan named Bobby Zappala jumped off a boat into the Allegheny River fully clothed to grab a home run ball hit out of PNC Park by third baseman Pedro Alvarez during last Friday night's game. Your browser does not support iframes. The 2-run HR by Alvarez tied the Houston Astros at 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth, and the Pirates won the game in the bottom of the ninth. Video via MLB. H/T OTB. Visit us at holdoutsports.com and follow us on Twitter @HoldoutSports. Mon, 20 May 2013 21:52:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_fan_jumps_into_river_for_pedro_alvarez_home_run_ball_video/13659616 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_fan_jumps_into_river_for_pedro_alvarez_home_run_ball_video/13659616 Pirates fan jumps into river for Pedro Alvarez home run ball (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_fan_jumps_into_river_for_pedro_alvarez_home_run_ball_video/13659616 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/5/c56739ef53db287e6ed931a3651150084ed81da7/mini/mlb-astros-pirates.jpg The Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and other Major League clubs have reset the gluttony bar with their latest menu pairings. There is some sort of irony to be found in the concept of watching the fittest athletes in the world compete while chomping down on the least nutritional food possible. Gone are the days where a simple burger and fries was the worst thing that one could consume at a Major League baseball game. We have arrived at a time where the folks that run park concessions have gotten competitive in their creative zeal to come up with the most decadent combinations possible to tempt your palette. These are the five that are must haves for those that road trip to multiple parks during the summer. Please click here to read this story. The post 5 most decadent menu items at Major League parks appeared first on Players View. Mon, 20 May 2013 15:46:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/5_most_decadent_menu_items_at_major_league_parks/13657354 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/5_most_decadent_menu_items_at_major_league_parks/13657354 The most decadent menu items at MLB ballparks http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/5_most_decadent_menu_items_at_major_league_parks/13657354 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/f/6f8ed3609ba84cde66f6d0c83387254881f8d63c/mini/food.jpg Alen Hanson has done a complete 180 both offensively and defensively since being benched for a few games in April. Ground balls are supposed to lead to easy outs. When you see a routine grounder hit to shortstop, you expect an out. There’s usually no feeling that the play could go wrong. You get ready to write “6-3″ in your scorebook, even before the play is finished. There’s a reason they call it “routine”. That wasn’t the case with Alen Hanson early in the season. Hanson’s defense at the start of the year was horrible. The shortstop started the year with ten errors in his first ten games. There were several plays that could have been ruled errors, but where Hanson got the home town treatment. But the frustrating thing about these errors were that they didn’t come on somewhat difficult plays. They came on routine plays. The ball would be hit to Hanson, he’d have plenty of time to make a play, and he’d throw wild to first. Or he’d set up ready to field the ball, and would boot the grou Mon, 20 May 2013 14:04:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/after_a_rough_start_alen_hanson_has_done_a_complete_180/13656781 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/after_a_rough_start_alen_hanson_has_done_a_complete_180/13656781 After a Rough Start, Alen Hanson Has Done a Complete 180 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/after_a_rough_start_alen_hanson_has_done_a_complete_180/13656781 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Below are the top Runs Created* totals in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system from the last week. The rankings include every hitter who had an at-bat for a Pirates’ minor league affiliate, not including DSL teams, and with no limitations on whether the hitter has prospect eligibility. Players who spent time at different levels are counted multiple times, once for each level, rather than combining their stats. Notes on the top ten players from the last week can be found below the chart. *Runs Created is a stat created by Bill James used to estimate how many runs an individual contributes to his team. There are many formulas for runs created. For these purposes the basic formula is used. That formula is ((H + BB) * (1B + (2*2B) + (3*3B) + (4*HR))) / (AB + BB). Felix Pie is the top hitter in the system for the second week in a row. For the second week in a row Felix Pie is the top hitter in the system. Pie went 10-for-20 with two doubles and two triples in the last week. He’s been on fire in the month o Mon, 20 May 2013 12:14:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/top_performers_do_the_pirates_have_anything_with_felix_pie/13655482 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/top_performers_do_the_pirates_have_anything_with_felix_pie/13655482 Top Performers: Do the Pirates Have Anything With Felix Pie? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/top_performers_do_the_pirates_have_anything_with_felix_pie/13655482 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After missing his second-straight game yesterday, Buc Nation had cause for concern.  Their All-Star and perennial MVP candidate is battling a sore right knee.  However, Andrew McCutchen does not have any structural damage in the knee.  It's just sore. Tom Singer of MLB.com says McCutchen was slated to start yesterday's game, but he reported discomfort in the knee using batting practice.  Preliminary examinations by doctors have shown no real issue there.  The team will likely just play it safe with McCutchen going forward.  The injury happened Friday, and with Monday's off day, McCutchen will get three full days of rest. "There was a small play where I slid home, and came up not feeling right. Something caused an uncomfortable feeling, so I wanted to check everything out. I didn't want to jeopardize the rest of the season. Better safe than sorry. I didn't want to sit out today, it's just something I had to do, but we were able to get a win, so it&... Mon, 20 May 2013 09:30:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_andrew_mccutchen_has_no_structural_damage_in_knee/13654072 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_andrew_mccutchen_has_no_structural_damage_in_knee/13654072 Pirates' Andrew McCutchen has no structural damage in knee http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_andrew_mccutchen_has_no_structural_damage_in_knee/13654072 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/7/47d357d1b758c18cbabdd607d2ef6d66b66475d8/mini/6589098.jpg Vic Black is the heir apparent to the closer’s job in Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old right-hander won’t be replacing Jason Grilli in the near future, but he may be joining Grilli in the Pirates’ bullpen. Four years after being drafted 49th overall out of Dallas Baptist University, Black looks close to big-league ready. Black cooks with gas: His fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90s and touches triple digits. His slider can be overpowering. Last season, at Double-A Altoona, he logged an Eastern League-best 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings. This year, with Triple-A Indianapolis, his K-rate is 12.5 — and he has almost as many saves [11] as hits allowed [14]. Black talked about his power repertoire this past weekend on a visit to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. —— Black on adapting to Triple-A: “My approach is the same, it’s just become more refined. It has to be. The hitters are better — their selectivity is better — so the sequences from me and my catcher have to be better. Being on the ... Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/q_a_vic_black_pirates_future_closer/13653415 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/q_a_vic_black_pirates_future_closer/13653415 Q&A: Vic Black, Pirates’ Future Closer http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/q_a_vic_black_pirates_future_closer/13653415 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Jeff Locke was one of the four pitchers known as The Altoona Four. In 2010 the Altoona Curve had a group of pitchers that went on to be called “The Altoona Four” out of convenience. I say convenience because the group led Altoona to an Eastern League title in 2010, but they also led the Lynchburg Hillcats to a Carolina League title in 2009. So they could have easily been “The Lynchburg Four”, which isn’t really as catchy. Then, in 2011, only two of them moved up to Indianapolis at the start of the season. Eventually the other two pitchers made that jump. After that it would have made sense to call them “The Indianapolis Four”. But you say “The Altoona Four” and most people know you’re talking about Jeff Locke, Bryan Morris, Rudy Owens, and Justin Wilson. For most of the 2010 season the Pirates didn’t have an ace of the future. They had the pitchers in Altoona, and the hope that one of the prep pitchers from the 2009 draft would break out and become a top prospect. It wasn’t until a one Mon, 20 May 2013 02:31:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_the_altoona_four_where_are_they_now/13652746 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_the_altoona_four_where_are_they_now/13652746 First Pitch: The Altoona Four – Where Are They Now? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/first_pitch_the_altoona_four_where_are_they_now/13652746 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/3/4337b0417b25422207f3f3f380462e38e9f4accc/mini/6546938.jpg TOP OF THE SYSTEM A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today.  Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. If a player is in the majors, he will be removed, everyone below him will be shifted up a spot, and a new player will be added to the bottom of the list. Rankings are from the pre-season rankings, and links to each prospect writeup can be found by clicking the player names below. Players who weren’t in the original top 20 are linked to their player page on the site. 1. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Indianapolis (3-2, 3.75) - 5.2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 HR 2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Altoona (2-5, 3.02) - 6.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 10 K, 1 HR 3. Gregory Polanco, CF, Bradenton (.305) - 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 SB 4. Alen Hanson, SS, Bradenton (.266) - 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI 5. Luis Heredia, RHP, Extended Spring Training (Luis Heredia Close to Joining West Virginia) 6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.278) – 1-for-4, BB 7. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.220) - Low-A DL 8 Sun, 19 May 2013 17:14:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/prospect_watch_kingham_and_taillon_have_good_starts_while_cole_gets_hammered/13650703 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/prospect_watch_kingham_and_taillon_have_good_starts_while_cole_gets_hammered/13650703 Prospect Watch: Kingham and Taillon Have Good Starts While Cole Gets Hammered http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/prospect_watch_kingham_and_taillon_have_good_starts_while_cole_gets_hammered/13650703 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Pedro Alvarez leads the Pirates with 8 home runs. (Photo credit: David Hague) It’s an overall negative that the Pirates could only score eight runs in three games against the Houston Astros, baseball’s worst run prevention team. It’s an overall negative that that they could only crack open four total hits on average starting pitcher Lucas Harrell, and needed 15 hitters Sunday to hit the ball out of the infield. But when a Pirates batter finally did hit it out of infield… boom. Pedro Alvarez roped Harrell’s first-pitch fastball to the opposite field, hooking just inside the left-field foul pole 325 feet from the plate for a home run. Alvarez’s 8th home run got Pittsburgh (26-18) its first hit in the 5th inning and broke the scoreless tie in the Pirates’ 1-0 win. Alvarez’s just-barely home run was all the run support needed for Jeff Locke, who continued to defy the regression monsters with seven shutout innings and only three hits allowed for his fourth victory. Locke worked from behind often, t Sun, 19 May 2013 16:01:15 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_win_series_on_lockes_sharp_start_alvarezs_homer/13650454 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_win_series_on_lockes_sharp_start_alvarezs_homer/13650454 Pirates Win Series on Locke’s Sharp Start, Alvarez’s Homer http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_win_series_on_lockes_sharp_start_alvarezs_homer/13650454 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/3/b38512d096af131b12b20d645cd56b4cbdf06c0d/mini/6550920.jpg Andrew McCutchen has missed only 10 games since the start of 2011. (Photo Credit: David Hague) What a two months it has been for Starling Marte. The Pirates left fielder has evolved from a potential-packed-but-raw leadoff hitter to a possible All-Star. Marte was set to have a day off before the team’s scheduled off-day Monday, but Andrew McCutchen is a late scratch due to right knee soreness, so Marte will instead play center field. Let’s look at what Marte has done this season: He is making contact on more pitches, allowing him to reduce his strikeout rate. Even though his walk rate is still low, he has been hitting the ball harder to increase his average. Expect a little offensive regression, given Marte’s high .392 BABIP, but he can still beat out plenty of infield hits with his top-level speed. And no, he’s not Mike Trout. He doesn’t yet have the gap power or plate discipline. Each player through 42 games of their second MLB season: Trout in 2012 — .341/.401/.541, 6 homers, 16 stolen bases, 2 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:05:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_notebook_andrew_mccutchen_scratched_from_lineup/13649467 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_notebook_andrew_mccutchen_scratched_from_lineup/13649467 Pirates Notebook: Andrew McCutchen Scratched From Lineup http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_notebook_andrew_mccutchen_scratched_from_lineup/13649467 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/7/47d357d1b758c18cbabdd607d2ef6d66b66475d8/mini/6589098.jpg Jose Tabata has been better against right-handers than Travis Snider so far. Photo Credit: David Hague So far this season the Pittsburgh Pirates have been using Travis Snider most of the time against right-handers. However, when a lefty is on the mound, Snider is on the bench. On the season Snider has just eight plate appearances against lefties. Guys like Jose Tabata and Brandon Inge have been getting the starts in right field, with Tabata being the go-to guy, and Inge only starting during a time when Tabata was hurt. Even though the Pirates are going with a platoon role, a case could be made for Tabata to be the everyday right-fielder. Snider has a .287/.356/.404 line in 94 at-bats against right-handers so far. Tabata has a .340/.426/.489 line in 47 at-bats against right-handers. Tabata went 1-for-3 against left-hander Erik Bedard tonight, while Snider went 0-for-2 against right-hander Jose Cisnero. In each case you’ve got a small sample size. Tabata’s success is only in 47 at-bats, while Snider is post Sun, 19 May 2013 00:57:26 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_should_jose_tabata_be_the_everyday_right_fielder/13648183 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_should_jose_tabata_be_the_everyday_right_fielder/13648183 First Pitch: Should Jose Tabata Be the Everyday Right Fielder? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/first_pitch_should_jose_tabata_be_the_everyday_right_fielder/13648183 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/a/6aea9853e0a75bbc2e4bdee7e2f7c8ca26516742/mini/6355008.jpg Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez brings new meaning to “hit it out of the park” as this home run ball clears the bleachers and ends up in the Allegheny drink. Screen snaps below courtesy of MLB.com, Root Sports, and KDKA and brought to you by Lowe’s. Looks like a Sergio Garcia shot at 17 Sometimes you just have to get wet as a fan retrieves the wet souvenir -David Whitlock (@lhd_on_sports) Follow us on Twitter @rbts_baseball The post WATCH: Pedro Alvarez crushes ball out of PNC park into Allegheny River appeared first on Reading Between The Seams. Sat, 18 May 2013 08:57:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/watch_pedro_alvarez_crushes_ball_out_of_pnc_park_into_allegheny_river/13644220 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/watch_pedro_alvarez_crushes_ball_out_of_pnc_park_into_allegheny_river/13644220 Alvarez hits HR out of PNC Park, into river http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/watch_pedro_alvarez_crushes_ball_out_of_pnc_park_into_allegheny_river/13644220 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/c/bcd8c83b590f73e3be3cf6401ad41ca420a1b84d/mini/pnc.jpg Wandy Rodriguez will likely land a draft pick for the Pirates in 2014. Photo Credit: David Hague When the Wandy Rodriguez trade first went down, I wasn’t a big fan of the deal. Rodriguez had been struggling with the Astros in the two months leading up to the trade, and had seen his strikeouts dropping in each of the last few seasons. Simply put, he wasn’t the same pitcher he was a few years ago, and there were some Matt Morris concerns with his 2012 struggles. So far with the Pirates, Rodriguez is showing that he can still pitch, and still be an effective pitcher. He started off rough, but whatever problems he was having quickly subsided and he’s been great ever since. After tonight’s outing against the Brewers, Rodriguez has a 3.25 ERA in 44.1 innings this year, along with a 6.5 K/9 and a 1.8 BB/9. When Rodriguez was traded, it changed his 2014 option from a club option to a player option. That means that he now decides his fate after the season. This creates one of three scenarios. 1. Rodriguez acce Thu, 16 May 2013 00:49:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_wandy_rodriguez_will_most_likely_land_the_pirates_a_draft_pick/13627925 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_wandy_rodriguez_will_most_likely_land_the_pirates_a_draft_pick/13627925 First Pitch: Wandy Rodriguez Will Most Likely Land the Pirates a Draft Pick http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/first_pitch_wandy_rodriguez_will_most_likely_land_the_pirates_a_draft_pick/13627925 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b8d7dab6ff13b1ef5ed98bec7f77d18c7f32360c/mini/houston-astros-chicago.jpg